Stopper or closure



Patented Aug 2,1898.

L. H.-ABBEE, S. A. SEWALL 8. A. J. BENNWITZ.

STOPPER OR CLOSURE.

(Application filed Sept. 15, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LESLIE n. ABBEE, STEPHEN A. sEwALL, AND AUREL J. BENNWITZ, or I DENVER,COLORADO. A

STOPPER OR CLOSURE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 608,502, dated August2, 1898. Application filed September 15,1897- Serial No. 651,773.(No'modeh) To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that we, LESLIE H. ABBEE, STEPHEN.A. SEWALL, and AUREL J.BENN- wrrz, citizens of the United States of America, residing atDenver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Stoppers or Closures; and we dodeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing, and to the letters and figures of reference markedthereon, which forms a part of this specification.

Our invention relatesto improvements in stoppers or closures forreceptacles adapted for holding liquids and more particularlyhighly-inflammable explosive oils, as coal-oil, and explosive andvolatile liquids, as gasolene, naphtha, and ammonia.

Our object is to provide a device of this class which shall be simple inconstruction, economical in cost, reliable, durable, and efficient inuse; and to these ends the invention consists of the features,arrangements, and combinations hereinafter described and claimed, all ofwhich will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawing,in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

The drawing is a vertical section taken through the screw top or cap ofa can or receptacle composed of glass, thesaid cap being provided withour stopper or closure mechanism. In this view the closed position ofthe mechanism is shown in full lines and the open position in dottedlines.

In the drawing the numeral 5 designates the said top or cap, to theinner surface of which is attached adepending arm 6, to which is secureda small horizontal plate or bracket 7, a'pertured to receive a stem 8,which passes therethrough. To the top of the stem 8 is secured a conicalvalve 9, adapted to engage a seat 10, surrounding an opening 12,communicating with a spout or nozzle 13, attached to the upper surfaceof the top 5. Surrounding the stem 8, above the bracket 7, is acoilspring 14, one extremity of which engages the valve 9, while theopposite extremity rests on the said bracket. To the lower extremity ofcans, jars, or other the stem 8, which protrudes below the bracket, isattached one arm of a lever 24:, which is fulcrumed at 15 on thedepending arm 6. The opposite arm of this lever is connected with thelower extremity of a bent link 16, whose upper extremity is connectedwith a lug 17, formed on the bottom of a conical cover 18, hinged to thetop 5 at 19, and adapted to close an inlet-opening 20 in the top 5.

When the parts are in the position shown in full lines in the drawing,the coil-spring 14 holds the valve 9 and the cover 18 tightly closed,thus preventing the escape of either liquid or gases from the receptacleto which the cap 5 is applied, since the said valve and cover, togetherwith their engaging parts, are so constructed as to form air or gastight joints.

When it is desired to pour liquid from the vessel or receptacle providedwith the cap 5, the cover 18 is opened or raised to the dottedlineposition. This movement of the cover throws the elements 16, 24, 8, 14:,and 9 to the position shown in dotted lines. Hence the valve 9 isunseated and the liquid allowed to flow freely through the opening 12.The rais: ing of the cover 18 opens the inlet-openin g 20, whichnot'only allows the link 16 to pass upward through the cap 5, but alsoserves as a vent to allow the air to enter as the liquid escapes by wayof the opening 12 in the spout 13. The opening 20 also permits thefilling of the can or vessel without removing or detaching the captherefrom.

When the parts are in tion, the points A and B where the linkextremities are connected with the cover 18 of the lever 24 are locatedin a straight line passing slightly to the right of the center of thehinge-pin 19. Hence when the parts are in the dotted-line position theywill remain so until the cover 18 is moved sufficiently to 'throw thepoints A andB into a line passing slightly to the left of said hinge-pincenter,

the dotted-line posiwhen the parts will automatically return to theclosed or full-line position.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is-- 1. Thecombination with a receptacle cap or top provided with inlet and escapeopenings, of a valve adapted to close the escape IOO opening from theinside, a cover adapted to close the inlet-opening from the outside, andsuitable mechanism connected with the valve and cover, whereby theopening of the cover unseats the valve, said mechanism consisting ofastem to which the valve is attached, a coilspring surrounding the stemand engaging the valve, a stop mounted on the cap and engaged by theopposite extremity of the spring, said stop having an opening throughwhich the stem passes, a lever fulcrumed on a hanger attached to thecap, one extremity of the lever being connected with the valve-stem, anda link connecting the opposite extremity of the lever with theinletc0ver.

2. The combination with a receptacle cap or top provided with inlet andescape openings, of a valve adapted to close the escapeopening from theinside, a hinged cover adapt ed to close the inlet-opening from theoutside, and suitable means for connecting the valve and cover wherebythe opening of the cover unseats the valve, said means consisting of astem to which the valve is attached, acoilspringsurrounding the stem andengaging the valve, a stop mounted on the cap and engaged by theopposite extremity of the spring, said stop having an opening throughwhich the stem passes, a lever [ulerumed on a hanger attached to thecap, one extremity of the lever being connected with the valve-stem, anda link connecting the opposite extremity of the lever with theinlet-cover, the arrangement being such that when the cover is open, thepoints where the link extremities are respectivelyeonnected with thelever and cover are out of line with the center of the cover hinge-pinwhereby the parts are automatically held in the open position.

3. The combination with a vessel top or cap having an opening, of ahinged cover adapted to close said opening, a lever fulcrumed 011 thecap, a link connecting one arm of the lever with the said cover, astemconnected with the opposite arm of the lever and passing through a stopmounted on the cap, a coilspring surrounding the stem and engaging thestop at one extremity, the opposite extremity of the spring bearingagainst a stop with which the stem is provided, the arrangement beingsuch that when the cover is open, the points where the link extremitiesare respectively connected with the lever and cover are out of line withthe center of: the cover hinge-pin, whereby the cover is held openautomatically.

In testimony whereof we alfix our sigma tures in presence of twowitnesses.

LESLIE ll. AlilllGE. S'lEllIlGN A. SEWALL. AUltlCli J. HICNRWVI'IZ.\Vitnesses:

E'nrru llrnswon'rn, A. J. OHntEN.

